Bronx Zoo cobra found in its reptile house

In this photo released by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Bronx Zoo’s once missing Egyptian Cobra is seen at the Bronz Zoo’s Reptile House, Thursday, March 31, 2011, in New York. After nearly a week after escaping from its cage, the venomous snake was found alive, coiled in a dark Reptile House corner. (AP Photo/Wildlife Conservation Society, Julie Larsen Maher) NO SALES
— AP

In this photo released by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the Bronx Zoo’s once missing Egyptian Cobra is seen at the Bronz Zoo’s Reptile House, Thursday, March 31, 2011, in New York. After nearly a week after escaping from its cage, the venomous snake was found alive, coiled in a dark Reptile House corner. (AP Photo/Wildlife Conservation Society, Julie Larsen Maher) NO SALES
/ AP

Breheny said the "lighthearted" tone of the Twitter spoof was a sign that most people were confident in the Bronx zoo workers' skills.

"We appreciated that element, but at the same time we needed to stay focused on recovering the animal, because it was a serious issue," he said.

Outside the zoo, some Bronx residents said they were relieved the snake had been found.

Patricia Villa, 35, who walks by the zoo every day, said she and a friend prayed that they would not come across the snake as they passed the zoo one recent night while walking home from a nearby church.

Margaret Tanco, 51, said she worried about the safeguards the zoo has in place to keep animals inside.

"It's very dangerous," she said. "If a snake could come out, heaven knows what animal could."

But Breheny said zoo officials were confident the snake would have likely fled rather than fight and pose a danger to people.

"Snakes in general are shy, secretive creatures. And venom is not primarily a defense mechanism, it is a way to procure food," he said. "They don't rely on aggressive biting or venom for anything other than food acquisition."

He said officials were confident she would be found not far from where she had escaped.